20 Questions With Pop Ya Tot
I’ve been a follower of this brand since my first born was a baby. My first purchase was a stunning dummy clip and I have since purchased them as gifts for so many of my friends for baby shower gifts etc. Their range has since expanded to muslin wraps, bedlinen and other baby accessories. The Pop Ya Tot following is now over half a million followers on Instagram which is a credit to the hard work this family has put in to their business. Pia answered twenty questions with a Side Hustler and her answers are super informative and inspiring.
WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BUSINESS AND WHAT INDUSTRY ARE YOU IN?
Pop Ya Tot - We specialise in stylish Baby Blankets, Bedlinens and baby accessories.
HOW LONG HAS YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BEEN RUNNING?
We clocked 5 years this March.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I've worked full-time since I was 16, so after I had the kids, I felt a little lost, so I started up a dining table business, never dreaming that it would take us to where we are now.
DO YOU STILL WORK FULL TIME ANYWHERE ELSE?
No, Pop Ya Tot is full-time for me now, my husband and parent's also are involved.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST FINANCIAL INVESTMENT YOU'VE MADE IN YOUR BUSINESS?
Advertising. It really is true that you need to spend money to make it. When Instagram's algorythm changed, it was crucial to still be seen in the marketplace, and paid advertising by professionals was essential.
DID YOU INVEST IN BRANDING WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR BUSINESS?:
Not really, it was only intended as a hobby job for me to keep my brain active, so I downloaded a basic logo from Etsy and did all the creatives myself.
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU REGRET OR WISH YOU HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY IN YOUR BUSINESS?
No, I don't believe in regrets. Every decision we've made in our business has been well thought out as a family and I feel that every decision we have made thus far has worked out well.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
The design side of it. I am obsessed with colour, design and patterns. I think in patterns. So the fact that I get to come up with ideas and work with illustrators is just so surreal to me. Also that I have been able to have my kids home with me until they started school. Not everyone has that ability, so I'm very grateful that we were able to have them home with us full-time.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Time management, especially in the beginning. We started out by making dummy chains, by hand (which we still do) but every single chain was painted, constructed and dispatched by me. I never got to bed before midnight. Plus my kids were only only toddlers, so it was a constant battle to manage time and be a "present mum".
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT?
Don't worry about what other people are doing with their business. In the early days, I would get very cut up if I saw similar products or designs out there to mine. But now looking back, a lot of them have fizzled out anyway, so my stress and worry was for nothing.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR SELLING YOUR PRODUCT SERVICE?
Making a product that sells itself. Although we rely on advertising to be seen, we are often told how different our design are to anyone else. I pride myself on being a bit left of centre and offering a range that you cannot get anywhere else. We currently have a waitlist for new stockists as the demand is so high.
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO ORIGINALLY INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR SIDE HUSTLE?
Yes, one of my childhood friends Nathan recommended that I start an instagram account and sell my designs. I still thank him to this day for his suggestion.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE ELSE STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE?
Trust your gut. Don't over spend in the early days. Figure out what people want and then stock up on the product. The beauty of your own business is that you run it YOUR way. Find suppliers with MOQ so you aren't left with too much dead stock laying around that you can't get rid of. And avoid business loans. We have never loaned any money for our business. We started small, and have always used cashflow..... that way, if the worst were to ever happen, we don't owe anyone (except maybe the taxman).
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Well this year was supposed to be the easy year. My youngest was starting school and we would have a bit of routine back. Then BANG... Covid19 reared it's ugly head and we have home school thrown in the mix. So our day is a shambles. Between my husband and I we get it all done. But routine isn't something we have right now.
HOW HAS LIFE CHANGED NOW THAT YOUR PURSUING YOUR PASSION AND LIVING YOUR DREAM?
It has given my family a lot more flexibility. If we want a holiday, we go. If the kids need to be taken to appointments, I can take them without applying for personal leave. If I cannot be bothered going into work one day, I don't. That kind of freedom is priceless.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN 5 YEARS?
Hopefully all over the world! We aren't chasing the dollar, we just love what we do, so hopefully everyone else keeps loving what we do too.
BEST TIP FOR BUILDING/GROWING A COMMUNITY/FOLLOWING ONLINE?:
Become friends with those who genuinely love your brand. While influencers have helped Pop Ya Tot over the years, don't over spend on an influencer because they have a million followers. Be picky and choosy with who you pay to use and collaborate with. Giveaways are always a good idea. People love the idea of winning a prize from a brand they love, so this creates a lot of hype and therefore improves your engagement on your socials.
ANY OTHER ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU, YOUR BUSINESS, OR BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN GENERAL?:
Trust your gut. If you are passionate about your product, it will show. Don't be scared to try new things and to be different. The worst that can happen is that people don't like it. But you did, so that is all that matters.
HOW DO YOU REST, RECHARGE?:
I make sure I exercise most days. If I don't I am a grump. My family will attest to that.
ONCE COVID IS ALL OVER WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL TO?:
We have had to cancel 3 holidays this year because of fires and cover. One of those trips was to Tokyo, so as soon as we are allowed to, we'll be going there as a family.
insta: @popyatot www.popyatot.com.au
